Pre-Law

DBU does not recommend specific Pre-Law courses. However, if a student is interested in learning more about the legal process, DBU offers a  Minor in Legal Studies. The American Bar Association (ABA) states the following concerning preparation for law school:

"The ABA does not recommend any undergraduate majors or group of courses to prepare for a legal education. Students are admitted to law school from almost every academic discipline. You may choose to major in subjects that are considered to be traditional preparation for law school, such as history, English, philosophy, political science, economics or business, or you may focus your undergraduate studies in areas as diverse as art, music, science and mathematics, computer science, engineering, nursing or education. Whatever major you select, you are encouraged to pursue an area of study that interests and challenges you, while taking advantage of opportunities to develop your research and writing skills. Taking a broad range of difficult courses from demanding instructors is excellent preparation for legal education. A sound legal education will build upon and further refine the skills, values, and knowledge that you already possess." 

DBU requires a minimum cumulative, major, and minor GPA of 2.0.

Legal Studies Minor

Students who choose to pursue a minor in Legal Studies will engage in a robust 15-hour curriculum that includes one required course (A Christian Worldview of Business, Politics, and the Law), along with four additional courses, which may include:

• Business and Contract Law
• Criminal Law and Personal Injury
• Constitutional Law Theory
• Legal and Political Advocacy
• Internship in Political Science
• Special Topics in the Law
• Mock Trial

Course Catalog

Through the DBU Pre-Law program, students have the opportunity to meet with an advisor individually to help them think through internship options and decide the best course of action. DBU works with local lawyers and law firms to create experiences and pipelines to equip students with the connections they need to be successful. Students also have the opportunity to participate in various on-campus organizations/teams that expose them to practical opportunities to learn more about the practice of law as they consider this as a career.

Navigating decisions about your career can be daunting, but our professors and advisors want to come alongside you to help as you determine God's calling on your life. We want to help you make the most informed decision that leads you in a direction to use your gifts to further the kingdom. The Pre-Law program is designed to highlight students’ natural giftings as well as equip students who feel called to use the law to serve others in God’s name. While working on your undergraduate degree, you have the opportunity to be able to sit down with professors and advisors to discuss law school as an option for you and pray through whether this might be God's calling for you.

As you make this decision to further your education and pursue a career in the law field, there are a few things you should take into consideration:

• Your calling from the Lord
• Whether law school plays into your natural strengths
• Your short and long-term goals and how law school can help you achieve them
• Your passion for justice, helping the community, and interest in the legal field
• Whether you are prepared for the investment of time and money that law school will require

LSAT Prep Course

• Dallas Baptist University partners with Kaplan, a leader in the test preparatory industry, to provide a robust LSAT preparation course for DBU students. With this course, students are able to study with peers, take practice tests, and work through guided analysis of test content.

Building a Resume

• Most law schools look not just at a student's GPA and LSAT scores but at a holistic picture of each candidate's background. Thus, it is important that students build a resume that showcases who they are, how they are committed to the study and practice of law, and how they are interested in serving the community. Our DBU Pre-Law advisor provides information, feedback, and resources to students wanting to learn how to build a comprehensive resume. 

Application Process

• Applying to law school is an important step for our students, so at DBU, we provide support, counsel, and help to students who are actively applying for admission to law schools. At many law schools, the admission decision is based on a number of factors, including a student's GPA, LSAT score, resume, demonstrated commitment to the study and practice of law, personal statement, and letters of recommendation. Our Pre-Law advisor regularly helps students understand this process, create a complete portfolio that showcases their unique qualities, and apply for admission at a variety of law schools.

Students who choose to prepare for law school at Dallas Baptist University have the unique experience of a program with Christian distinctives. Through Christian worldview classes or mentorship relationships with professors, students learn how to grow in their faith and connect their faith to their profession.

At DBU, students receive personalized attention from professors, whether it is a lunch to discuss big issues or a sounding board to grapple with life’s big decisions. Education at DBU is about more than gaining knowledge, but it extends its reach to learning how to engage knowledge with faith for a deeper foundation and understanding. Pre-Law classes are taught in a mixed method style that models law school classes, but are geared toward undergraduate learning style. These courses are designed to help students get a picture of what law school will look like and determine if law school is for them. Students have the opportunity to put this knowledge to practice outside of the classroom through internships, research opportunities, missions, and more.

Whether you need help preparing for the LSAT, making a decision about law school, or surviving a challenging course, Dallas Baptist University professors in the Pre-Law program are here to help.